All Questions
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Talking in shul
Most pasken according to the Shulchan Arukh that mundane talk in shul during tefilot is forbidden.
With some exceptions: Is mundane speech allowed in shul?.
Is there anywhere a halachic point of view ...
2
votes
1answer
40 views
Why would somebody become a nazir?
B'midbar chapter 6 explains the laws of one who vows to become a nazir, but I've long been puzzled by why one would do this. (Our most famous nazir was commanded in this; Shimshon didn't make that ...
1
vote
1answer
50 views
Is it permissable to use an umbrella on Shabbat?
Is it permissable to use an umbrella on Shabbat, assuming you're inside an Eruv, so there's no issue of carrying?
If it is not permissible, then why is it prohibited?
Follow-up question: What about ...
4
votes
1answer
47 views
Does torah study refine one's character?
I have met some torah scholars who appear to be learning quite a bit, yet their character traits appear to be in the lacking.
Is torah study supposed to refine one's character? If so, how can we ...
-1
votes
1answer
52 views
why was technology withheld for so long from man
in studying the talmud one sees that the earlier generations were far superior to the later ones inllectually. Hence, a Rabbi from the talmud era cannot argue with one from the mishna era..
if so, it ...
3
votes
3answers
43 views
How to say mizonos first on an ice cream cone
Normally when faced with eating two foods where one takes a "mizonos" blessing for grain products, and another takes an all-encompassing "shehakol" blessing, we try to eat the mizonos food first. How ...
2
votes
0answers
15 views
Why do we get “so did they do” for the commandment of expelling tamei people in Parashat Naso?
Parashat Naso, in Numbers 5:1-3, presents a commandment to "send from the camp" anyone who is tamei due to either tzara'at or a zav-type discharage. After that, we have Verse 4, affirming that the ...
3
votes
1answer
46 views
Why did God take 7 days to create the world?
Generally we assume that God is omnipotent, and could have created the world in a single day\act, so He must have had a reason to organize creation into 7 days. Why?
In other words:
Why didn't God ...
2
votes
1answer
38 views
Who were the Rambam's students?
Someone recently asked me whether the Rambam had any students. In addition to the Rambam's son and the student for whom he wrote the Moreh Nevuchim, I could think of only one other student. (רבינו ...
2
votes
1answer
32 views
Do we embarrass someone in cheirem?
Let's suppose that someone in a community has been put in cheirem, for whatever reason. This would generally ban him from the community shul. Should this person show up in the community shul, however, ...
0
votes
2answers
78 views
How do we know that homosexual relations is a sin?
I recently heard that the Ibn Ezra brings down a minority opinion that the pasukim talking about "laying with a man as you would a woman" are actually talking about androgynous people. The Ibn Ezra ...
0
votes
0answers
34 views
Gemarah on Baal Teshuva
In Sefer Chasidim, the author compares Baal Teshuva's to Tzadikim. I have heard that there is a Gemarah that does the same and was wondering if someone could cite that Gemarah.
-2
votes
1answer
50 views
What allowed Jews to change the way they pronounced words?
The way we pronounce words has changed over many years and we now have many different customs. Many of the changes derive from Jews moving to different geographic locations and adopting similar ...
2
votes
0answers
20 views
Sofek in Bircas HaTorah — why not say all of the brachas?
The M"B brings in the beginning of Siman 47 from the Shagas Aryeh (Siman 24-25) that if one is in sofek (doubt) if they said Bircas HaTorah then they should go back and say the bracha however only the ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
Not making a wedding on the first 3 days of a month
I've heard there is a custom (practiced in various kehillas, I heard Belz is one of them) to not make a wedding on the first 3 days of a month (meaning alef, beis, or gimmel of a particular month.) ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Employment questions I have [closed]
I have three questions.
1) Can a religious Orthodox Jewish employer, refuse to employ a Non Observant Jew on Shabbos or other Jewish holidays, if the Non Observant Jew volunteers to work on this, ...
6
votes
1answer
49 views
An interpretation of Shimon's “silence” in Pirkei Avot
In Chapter 1 of Pirkei Avot it's written:
"17. Shimon his son said: All my days have I grown up among the wise and I have not found anything better for a man than silence. Studying Torah is not ...
-4
votes
1answer
74 views
Is it possible for a person to practice both Judaism and Islam? [closed]
It is explained here that a Jew cannot lose his 'Jewishness', It seems from this answer that Jewishness is a genealogical status and little to do with religion. So is it possible for a Jew to practice ...
4
votes
2answers
42 views
Why do Israelis keep one day of Yom Tov?
From what I understand, we outside of Eretz Yisrael we keep two days of Yom Tov as a continuation of the minhag that evolved from the time of the Bais Hamikdash when we would not necessarily know when ...
3
votes
1answer
64 views
According to Reform Judaism, should rabbis be allowed to have non-Jewish spouses?
According to Reform doctrine, is it 1. permissible for rabbis to marry non-Jewish spouses, and 2. advisable for them to do so, considering that rabbis are generally seen as role-models of proper ...
0
votes
2answers
31 views
Mashiach arriving upon the observance of Shabbat
does anyone have a source for the suggestion that If all Israel respected the Sabbath if only one single day, the Messiah would come immediately, for it is written: “Today if you were to listen to his ...
1
vote
0answers
41 views
The reason Aaron's two sons died
Why did Aaron's two elder sons die? I've heard that there are many reasons offered, and would appreciate knowing as many as possible.
2
votes
1answer
84 views
All but every 6th letter begins the name of a misechte
For each letter in the aleph beis, there is at least one misechte in shas whose name starts with it — besides for every 6th letter (vuv, lamed and tzadi).
Did anyone ever hear any explanation ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
chassan/kallah signing the kesubah or tenaaim
I have seen bridegrooms and brides sign their names on their kesuba or tenaaim (prenup) before the chuppah (wedding ceremony). It seems maybe to be a chassidish custom, though I'm not sure.
Is there ...
2
votes
0answers
43 views
Why is elevation not factored into zmanim in places like New York?
As you might already know, zmanim (for Shabbos, etc.) are determined by a number of factors, one being the elevation of the particular locale. But for some reason, if you check the charts and ...
1
vote
1answer
34 views
Does one mourn during the days following Shavuot?
We say the four verses starting "Yehi Shem" (instead of Tachanun) after Shavuot because of the bringing of the Korbanot. Does this have any impact on mourning after Shavuot?
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Why is semicha specifically to ordain a Rabbi to give psak?
Was the original process of semicha merely intended to provide reliable decisors of halacha only?
Nowadays can a Rav get semicha in Tanach or Talmud (for example)? Since, perhaps, these days the ...
2
votes
0answers
17 views
Not speaking between Shemoneh Esrei and Hallel
On a day when Hallel is recited (for example Rosh Chodesh) I've heard that one should not (lichatchila) speak between Shemoneh Esrei and Hallel. Rather, as soon as the chazzon finishes chazaras ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Wearing Tefillin over toupe
If someone wears a toupe which is only removed twice a month, is there any way to still get the mitzvah of wearing tefillin? Removing the toupe every morning to put in the tefillin would be an extreme ...
1
vote
1answer
70 views
What is the Purpose of Punishments in the Afterlife?
What is the purpose of punishments in the afterlife (Gehinom, kaf hakela, gilgulim, etc.)? Are all of them for cleaning up the person from the consequences of his bad deeds and therefore for his ...
1
vote
0answers
15 views
Krias HaTorah (or Megillah) before Davening
If a minyan won't be able to read from the Torah at the time we normally read from the Torah (i.e. after Shemoneh Esrei, on any day where we read from the Torah) may they read from the Torah before ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
Significance of man relative to God
God is totally infinite in space/time and beyond, all-powerful, all-knowing, all-everything.
Compared to God, man, the universe, and everything in it - everything is completely insignificant.
If so, ...
2
votes
3answers
109 views
Is Psalm 110 considered messianic
How do Jews interpret Psalm 110? (Christians see it as a messianic reference.) I am specifically interested in verse 1 - "The Lord saith unto my lord." Jesus quotes this in Matthew 22:44, and ...
1
vote
0answers
25 views
Halachic extension of the Giving of the Torah and marriage analogy
The sages frequently liken the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai to a chuppah (wedding ceremony), where Hashem is symbolized by the chosson (groom) and the Knesses Yisroel is symbolized by the kallah ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
Ten Commandments - which one is the greatest? [closed]
Shavuot is coming. As an activity in the local Chabad House during the night of study each person will have to argue why the commandment they have chosen from the two tablets is the most important. I ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
Where is the source of the prohibition of listening to Kol Isha? [duplicate]
It is well known that listening to a women sing is forbidden. Where is the source to the Prohibition?
2
votes
2answers
161 views
How can I know a rav has daas Torah
I have been privileged to know rabbis of great wisdom and knowledge who could address my issues with unique and helpful insights through the prism of Torah. I always understood them to have "daas ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
What are the parameters of 'minhag yisrael'?
I went to a non-Jewish self-catering apartment and I was discussing with my friend whether we can use the utensils or not. Of course, if they are clean and used for cold there are no problems. We ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
Why do some Jewish groups wear a uniform?
My impression of male Chareidi Jews is that they only ever wear a white shirt with a black suit shoes and hat, no tie. I also get the impression that particular other (possibly Chassidic) groups have ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
Is it possible for God to have rejected us, even in theory?
The very last pasuk in Eicha says "כִּי אִם-מָאֹס מְאַסְתָּנוּ, קָצַפְתָּ עָלֵינוּ עַד-מְאֹד.". The translation from the Atrscroll reads something like "For even if you had rejected us, you have been ...
0
votes
2answers
24 views
Finding Kosher Fruit Flavored Snacks
Anyone know of a kosher fruit flavored snack, similar to these? According to oukosher.org there exists a "Scooby-Doo! Fruit Flavored Snacks 10 Count Carton" that is OU Parve, but I cannot find it ...
1
vote
1answer
32 views
Does Bishul Akum require intent?
In this answer, @AdamSimon suggested that:
Therefore, in our case (in which the power goes out on or before Shabbos and is subsequently restored during the course of Shabbos), provided that the ...
3
votes
1answer
38 views
What kind of cleanliness is required to put on Tefillin?
The Rama says (OC 38:3) that one must protest a woman's putting on Tefillin. The Magen Avraham there (sk 3) says that this is...:
מפני שצריכין גוף נקי ונשים אינם זריזות להזהר...
...because ...
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Do non-jews have soul mates?
We know that Jews have soul mates: people whom they are destined to marry.
Do non-Jews have people they are destined to marry?
0
votes
1answer
72 views
Is there an inyan to eat Cheesecake on Shavuos?
I know everybody does it, and I know there is an inyan to eat dairy, but is there an inyan specifically for eating cheesecake on Shavuos? And if so, where does it come from?
3
votes
1answer
92 views
How does this math work out?
The Gemara Eiruvin 56b said that the Migrash (the orange area) is one quarter of the area of the sados (the green area). Let's look at the math. (This is how I understood the maskana)
greenArea = ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
List of Publishers
I am looking for a list of publishers that are putting out seforim now a days. My reason is because I want to make a list of publishers in an effort to track down certain seforim. Many publishers ...
2
votes
0answers
25 views
What is the importance of Chiddush?
I have long taken for granted that it is important to be m'chadesh chiddush (compose new and novel torah insights). However, I realize I have no source for that notion. Is there any source which ...
4
votes
0answers
44 views
The silence of the Rabbis — Should they have defended Bar Kamtza?
In Gittin 55b-56a, we read that a fellow named Bar Kamtza was humiliated by a host of a party in public view of all, including the rabbis. Bar Kamtza received an invitation to the party by mistake, ...
4
votes
3answers
61 views
Why are Milochos based on the construction of the Mishkan?
If we were to receive all the laws for shabbos at Sinai why then is it the Mishkan to where we direct our attention when it comes to classifying all the things we cannot do on Shabbos? Wasn't the ...
